STUC on the Scottish Budget

“Colleges in Scotland are currently facing unprecedented cuts in funding which are placing real strains on the quality of education that colleges can provide, affecting the life chances of some of Scotland’s most vulnerable young people. While a £10m increase in funding is useful, it needs to be focused on college teaching budgets and it needs to be seen in the context of the £34.6m cut that colleges are facing this year. The reality is, despite this rise, college budgets are still under pressure and the education of our young people is still under threat.

“We also note that the Cabinet Secretary for Finance has recognised the problem with respect to the budget for housing but has not come up with sufficient funds to make a meaningful impact.”